MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 June 1939, Page 9

MAORI MEMORIES

WHENUA ROHE TAPU. (Recorded by J.H.S. tor “Times-Age.”) Sustenance of the Maori having been briefly dealt with, its source, the land, with its rights, boundaries and occupation may now be considered. In previous “Memories,” the fact that all good things are shared by all, has been repeatedly referred to. This statement must, however, be somewhat modified in regard to Whenua (land), which in most cases is held by families from one generation to another for time beyond the capacity of civilised nations to remember, except perhaps in the case of our own Crowned Heads. Of written laws or rules the Maori knew nothing, hence perhaps the secret of his phenomenal memory.. The main title to Land was “Ahi Ka roa” (keeping the home fire burning). This was also known as “Ahi Ora tonu” (everlasting fire); but it had no reference to our belief in torture, of which happily they had no idea. Their regard for fire was its warmth, health, and aid in preparing land for cultivation. To produce fire was a long patient process of rubbing dry sticks, and to preserve it in ashes, especially through winter storms and rain, was a domestic virtue, highly esteemed in women by men. “Raupatu” (conquest) was a title which under certain circumstances overruled all other rights, such for instance as the failure momentarily to maintain Ahi Ka roa, even in one household. The solemn right and duty to obtain “Utu” (satisfaction) for every wrong done to one’s self or family, was another plea for violating the title to land. This was Rauparaha’s strong point. In all the forest, plains, and mountains of New Zealand every river, stream, or range has been marked off in one generation or another as the •Rohe Tapu” (sacred boundary) between two or more tribes. This was done by the simple operation of marking it with a stone or planting it with the point of a spear.